New changes in store for New Clay News

Doll made by author (Mary in Oregon) using Creative Paperclay and Robert  McKinley tutorial.

In this, the fifth year of The New Clay News, I've decided to make some format changes.  I'll be converting this blog to a website format for a couple of reasons.   I've gotten involved in too many things (in real life) and just don't seem to have the time any more for daily (or even weekly) blog posts.  Also, I want to make this a great reference site for all the frequently asked questions about air-dry and no-bake clays.   To do that, I plan on adding some more pages of reference material rather than doing any more random posting or how-to tutorials.

All the existing posts will remain in the archives, but, in the future, look for all step-by-step tutorials to be posted at my Air-Dry-Clay (tutorial directory) and, just for cold porcelain, we have Cold Porcelain Tutorials.   Please sign up for RSS or follow those tutorial directories by email.    If you need personal assistance, we still have our Air-Dry-Clay Yahoo Group going strong with over 1200 members!  Join us!

Remember, we're not closing down...we're just changing....so look for more product reviews, more about art dolls, some featured artists, and lots of crafting tips coming soon as our resources for air-dry, self-hardening and no-bake clays grows right along with the popularity of this form of clay modeling!

Working With Air-Dry Clay: Art Dolls

"Spring" by Tireless Artist

The Tireless Artist shares her tips for working with air-dry clay when creating art dolls plus some additional tips for saving and restoring "old" clay.

To quote the artist (Dorote): "I can’t describe happiness and excitement when I discovered art dolls. I think this is most complicated and interesting art ever. The doll artist has to be also a sculptor and a painter and hairdresser and couture and also needs knowledge of working with different materials and making different accessories. Doll making is my full time occupation now."

New Name for Cold Porcelain Cuties

We've got a name change in progress for my other clay blog.....The name (and the URL) have been changed.

Cold Porcelain Cuties

is now

Cold Porcelain Tutorials

Cold Porcelain Tutorials is being re-organized for 2011 and will contain a bunch of how-to tutorials for crafting and modeling with cold porcelain clay plus a collection of recipes for making cold porcelain paste at home.  From time to time, we'll also spotlight artists making some very cute dolls, animals and other cute figures!   Cold Porcelain Tutorials will feature the same  "cute" cold porcelain figures seen at Cold Porcelain Cuties but the new focus will be as a tutorial directory.   A bit of re-organization will be happening all week long.  

If you have Cold Porcelain Cuties bookmarked, you'll receive a message that the blog no longer exists! Not quite true!   It's just been re-named, which means your old bookmarks won't work anymore!  Please change bookmark to Cold Porcelain Tutorials.   Sorry... I haven't figured out a way to make Blogger automatically forward the old bookmarks to the new name.   The RSS Feed should still work....at least I hope so!   Please let me know if you run into a problem!  This whole "name change" thing has been an experiment with Blogger tools and I'm learning as I go!  ;-)

Think Outside the Box

On a wild and stormy night.......

You are driving along in your car on a wild, stormy night. You pass by a bus stop, and you see three people waiting for the bus:

1. An old lady who looks as if she is about to die.
2. An old friend who once saved your life.
3. The perfect man (or) woman you have been dreaming about.

Which one would you choose to offer a ride to, knowing that there could only be one passenger in your car?

Think before you continue reading. This is a moral/ethical dilemma that was once actually used as part of a job application.

You could pick up the old lady, because she is going to die, and thus you should save her first; or you could take the old friend because he once saved your life, and this would be the perfect chance to pay him back. However, you may never be able to find your perfect dream lover again.

The candidate who was hired (out of 200 applicants) had no trouble coming up with his answer.

He simply answered: "I would give the car keys to my old friend, and let him take the lady to the hospital. I would stay behind and wait for the bus with the woman of my dreams."

Never forget to "Think Outside of the Box."   

Clay flowers as gift decoration

Have you ever thought of decorating a gift box with some clay flowers?   Two gifts in one!    Here's some ideas from Craft Ideas for All.

Kissing Ball Made with Clay Flowers

A few days  ago I came across this great idea from CreativeNimi at  Craft Ideas for All.    It's a Pomander Ball, also known as Kissing Ball, made from clay flowers.  These decorative flower balls are used in weddings, at Christmas, at baby showers and other festive occasions.   The clay flowers can be made from cold porcelain or any of the softer air-dry clays, such as Deco clay.  To make the flowers, see our list of Clay Flower tutorials in the menu tab above.

CreativeNimi made the beautiful blue and white clay flower ball shown above.  She says: "Usually fresh flowers are used as it requires a lot of flowers. Making them in clay makes it extra special and this way it lasts longer. Pomander Ball with clay flowers is a labor intensive project, but once completed you really get the satisfaction of creating something magnificent."   Read more about her idea at Craft ideas for All.

Happy St Patrick's Day

A man was on a walking holiday in Ireland. He became thirsty so decided to ask at a home for something to drink. The lady of the house invited him in and served him a bowl of soup by the fire.

There was a wee pig running around the kitchen, running up to the visitor and giving him a great deal of attention. The visitor commented that he had never seen a pig this friendly. The housewife replied: "Ah, he's not that friendly. That's his bowl you're using."

The Monsignor greeted Paddy and said "Congratulations on your 50th wedding anniversary! Have you any plans made on how to celebrate?"
"Well," said Paddy, "on our 25th Anniversary I took Mary to Ireland."
"And what are you going to do on your 50th?" asked the Msgr.
"Well," said Paddy "I think I'll bring her back."
 

Visit PaddysDay.us for more Irish Jokes, Blessings & Legends  

How to slice a banana

  Hi folks!   I'm running short on time today and don't have anything ready to post....so here's a bit of nonsense to make your day!  ;-)

Amaze your family and friends with this trick!
How to slice a banana inside its skin
http://spiritsdancing.com/msblog/how-to-slice-a-banana-inside-its-skin